Royal zest two

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a new variety of  Prunus persica  named ‘ROYAL ZEST TWO’. This new variety, which requires approximately 500 chilling units of dormancy, is considered to be a peach tree of early mid-season maturity, which produces yellow fleshed fruit that are firm, attractively colored, and suitable for the fresh fruit market.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

This invention relates to peach trees and, more specifically, to peachtrees referred to as a variety of Prunus persica named ‘Royal Zest Two,‘Royal Zest Two’, which requires approximately 500 chilling units ofdormancy, produces a high quality, firm clingstone peach that matures inearly mid-season.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The ‘Royal Zest Two’ peach is characterized as to novelty and isotherwise noteworthy by producing fruit that ripens in the earlymid-season; is considered high quality; and which is firm and has anattractive coloration. In this regard, the present variety of peach treebears fruit that are ripe for commercial harvesting and shipment in lateMay to early June, when the fruit is grown in the medium chill zone ofTexas. ‘Royal Zest Two’ ripens about 7 days earlier than the ‘June Gold’peach, a non-patented variety (Brooks, 1958. Fruit Var. Journal 3:22).

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The present peach tree was the result of an ongoing Stone Fruit BreedingProgram of Texas A & M University, College Station, Brazos County,Texas. To this end, both controlled crosses are made each year toproduce seedling populations from which improved plants are selected.

‘Royal Zest Two’ (RZ2, TX4D165) originated from a cross between theyellow-fleshed California peach ‘Rich Lady’ (Zaiger et al., 1990. U.S.Plant Pat. No. 7,290) and the early ripening, medium chill peach,‘Victor’. ‘Victor’ was released by Texas A & M University for use inSpain and is a seedling from the cross between the low chill,yellow-fleshed, mid-season cultivar ‘Tropic Beauty’ and the earlyripening, yellow-fleshed, medium chill peach ‘Goldprince’. ‘TropicBeauty’ was jointly released by the University of Florida and Texas A &M University (Rouse and Sherman, 1989. HortScience 24:165-166) and isderived from a cross between a Florida selection Fla3-2 (K6E121 openpollinated) and ‘Flordaprince’ (Fla2-7 x ‘Maravilha’). ‘Goldprince’ wasreleased by the USDA breeding program in Byron, Ga. (Okie, 1993.HortScience 28:231) and is derived from a cross between ‘Loring’ and theGeorgia selection FV3-257. Resulting seed from this cross were plantedin 1998 at the Texas A & M University Horticultural Farm in CollegeStation, Tex. ‘ROYAL ZEST TWO’ was marked for subsequent observation andnoted as having exceptional characteristics. Two-year and older trees ofthe variety were subsequently evaluated during the 2005 through 2011fruit growing seasons in both California (Clovis) and Texas (Terrell,Fairfield and College Station).

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

‘Royal Zest Two’ was bud grafted onto virus-free Nemaguard (“The Brooksand Olmo Register of Fruit and Nut Varieties,” 3rd Ed., American Societyof Horticultural Science Press, Alexandria, Va., 1997) peach rootstockin June 2000 at the nursery site in Oakdale, Calif. The variety wassubsequently planted at the experimental orchard in the central portionof the San Joaquin Valley, near Fowler, Fresno County, Calif. and inthree sites in Texas (College Station, Fairfield and Terrell). Fruitfrom the resulting propagation has been evaluated during the period from2005 to 2011 fruit seasons. This evaluation clearly demonstrated thatthe re-propagated trees were true to the characteristics of the originalseedling in all observable aspects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new variety of peach tree is illustrated by the accompanyingphotographic drawings and depicts the plant by the best possible colorrepresentation using color photography, wherein:

FIG. 1A color photograph of a characteristic twig bearing typical leavesand several mature fruit showing their external coloration sufficientlymatured for harvesting and shipment of ‘Royal Zest Two’ as grown inClovis, Calif.

FIG. 2. Color picture showing the flesh and skin color and fruit shapeof ‘Royal Zest Two’ produced in the medium chill zone of Texas(Fairfield).

FIG. 3. Color photograph of the endocarp of ‘Royal Zest Two’. The ruleris demarcated in millimeters.

FIG. 4. A stem showing the leaves of the ‘Royal Zest Two’ peach. Theruler is demarcated in millimeters.

FIG. 5. The showy flowers of ‘Royal Zest Two’. The ruler is inmillimeters.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of peach tree, the following has been observed underthe ecological conditions prevailing at the experimental orchards in themedium chill zone of Texas (Fairfield and College Station). All majorcolor code designations are by reference to the R.H.S. Colour Chart(Third Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of GreatBritain. Colors are approximate as color depends on horticulturalpractices such as light level and fertilization rate, among others.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Generally average to above average as compared to            other common peach cultivars ripening in the early season of            maturity.        -   Height.—7.5 feet (2.29 m) on five-year old trees pruned to            an open center training system.        -   Width.—7 feet (2.13 m) on five-year old trees pruned to an            open center training system.        -   Vigor.—High.        -   Density.—Medium to high.        -   Productivity.—Productive.        -   Shape.—The trees are vigorous with the typical            semi-spreading growth habit similar to ‘TexKing’,            ‘TexPrince’, and ‘TexRoyal’.        -   Current season growth.—The current season growth for the new            variety was approximately 3.0 to 3.3 feet (0.91-1.12 m).        -   Regularity of bearing.—Regular, and considered hardy under            typical conditions in the medium chill zone of Texas and in            the central San Joaquin Valley of Calif.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Approximately 11.5 cm in diameter and 41.3 cm in            circumference when measured at a distance of approximately            30.5 cm above the soil level, at the end of the 2012 growing            season on a five-year old tree.        -   Bark texture.—Considered moderately rough with numerous            folds of papery scarf-like skin being present.        -   Bark coloration.—Variable, colors present are 164B-C and            166A of the Greyed-Orange Group, 183A-C and 187D of the            Greyed-Purple Group, 199B-D of the Grey-Brown Group and            N200D of the Brown Group.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium for the variety.        -   Thickness.—Average (about 7.2 cm in diameter as measured 10            cm from the trunk on a five-year old tree) as compared to            other varieties.        -   Surface texture.—Average and appearing furrowed on wood that            is several years old.        -   Lenticels.—Numerous flat, oval lenticels present. The            lenticels range in size from approximately 4.0 to 9.0 mm in            width and were approximately 1 mm in height.        -   Current season shoots.—Surface texture—Substantially            glabrous.        -   Internode length.—Approximately 29 to 36 mm as measured in            the middle of a current season stem.        -   Color of mature branches.—The predominant colors are 166B-C            and 175A-B of the Greyed-Orange Group, 198D of the            Greyed-Green Group, N200D of the Brown Group and 202D of the            Black Group.        -   Current season shoots.—Color—Varies from a medium/light            green to a yellow green (Approximately Yellow-Green Group            N144A&D and 145A-D) with some reddish-brown coloration            appearing on exposed surface of the shoots (Approximately            Greyed-Orange Group 173A-B and 174B).-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium for the species. Leaf measurements            have been taken from vigorous upright current season growth            approximately at mid-shoot.        -   Leaf length.—Approximately 165 to 176 mm.        -   Leaf width.—Approximately 37 to 46 mm.        -   Leaf thickness.—Less than 1 mm.        -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.        -   Leaf tip form.—Acuminate. The tip occasionally appears            flexed downwards and slightly twisted laterally.        -   Leaf upper surface color.—Green, approximately 137A of the            Green Group.        -   Leaf lower surface color.—Green, approximately 137C of the            Green Group.        -   Leaf mid-vein color.—Green, approximately 138D and 142D of            the Green Group.        -   Leaf margins.—        -   Form.—Considered crenate/crenulate.        -   Uniformity.—Considered generally uniform.        -   Leaf petioles.—        -   Size.—Considered medium to medium long.        -   Length.—Approximately 9 to 10 mm.        -   Thickness.—Approximately 1.5 to 2 mm.        -   Color.—Pale green (Yellow Green Group 144B-D).        -   Leaf glands.—        -   Size.—Approximately 1 mm or less in height and width.        -   Number.—Generally 2-3 per leaf.        -   Type.—Globose.        -   Color.—Brown (N200A Brown Group).        -   Leaf stipules.—        -   Size.—Medium for species.        -   Length.—Approximately 9 to 11 mm.        -   Form.—Lanceolate.        -   Color.—Light green (Yellow-Green 144B-C) with reddish brown            tips (Greyed-Orange Groups 164B-C and 165B) when young. The            stipules are considered to be early deciduous.        -   Ratio of wood (leaf) buds to flowering buds.—1 to 2 flower            buds per vegetative bud.-   Flowers:    -   -   Floral buds.—        -   General.—The floral buds are considered to be medium in            size, conic in form, and slightly appressed relative to the            bearing shoot.        -   Color.—The bud scales are gray-brown, (approximately            Greyed-Purple Group 187A, Brown Group 200A-B and N200A). The            buds are considered hardy under typical central San Joaquin            Valley, California climatic conditions.        -   Length.—Approximately 4 to 7 mm.        -   Blooming type.—Considered medium early in relation to other            peach cultivars commonly growing in the medium chill zone of            Texas (Fairfield). Date of full bloom was between February            22nd and March 10th during the period between 2006 and 2011            with an average bloom date of March 1st about 10 days before            the ‘June Gold’ peach blooms.        -   Flower type.—Showy.        -   Flower size.—Flower diameter at full bloom is approximately            23 to 27 mm.        -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant.        -   Flower bud frequency.—Normally 1 per node on samples taken            from College Station, Tex.        -   Petal size.—        -   General.—Considered medium for the species.        -   Width.—Approximately 10 to 12 mm.        -   Length.—Approximately 15 to 17 mm.        -   Petal form.—Broadly ovate.        -   Petal count.—Nearly always 5.        -   Petal color.—Light pink when young (Red-Purple Group 62D,            65C-D, 69A-B and 73D).        -   Petal claw.—        -   Form.—The claw is considered present.        -   Length.—Approximately 1 to 1.5 mm.        -   Width.—Approximately 1 mm or less.        -   Petal margins.—Generally considered smooth.        -   Petal apex.—Generally—The petal apices appear slightly            domed.        -   Flower pedicel.—        -   Length.—Considered medium with an average length of            approximately 2 to 3 mm.        -   Thickness.—Considered average, approximately 1 mm.        -   Color.—A medium green (Yellow-Green Group 144D and 145A-B).        -   Floral nectaries.—        -   Color.—Orange (Yellow-Orange Group 21A-B, 23A-B and Orange            Group 24A).        -   Calyx.—        -   Surface texture.—Generally glabrous.        -   Color.—Highly variable from green near pedicel attachment to            red-brown (approximately Yellow-Green Group 144D and 145A-B            and Red-Purple Group 60A, Greyed-Red Group 181A,            Greyed-Purple Group 183A-B and 185A).        -   Sepals.—        -   Surface texture.—The surface has a short, fine, wooly and a            gray-colored texture.        -   Size.—Average, and ovate in form.        -   Color.—Highly variable from dull red to red and maroon with            green (approximately Red-Purple Group 59A-B, 60A-B, Green            Group 138B, Yellow-Green Group 144A-B, Greyed-Red Group            178A-B, Greyed-Purple Group 183A-C and Greyed-Green Group            191A).        -   Anthers.—        -   General.—Average in size for the species.        -   Color.—Golden yellow (approximately Yellow-Orange Group 15A,            17A-B and 21A-C).        -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant. Tree is self-fertile.        -   Filaments.—        -   Size.—Variable in length, approximately 12 to 15 mm, with            the filaments generally longer than or equal to the pistil.        -   Color.—White (approximately White Group 155A-D).        -   Pistil.—        -   General.—Average in size, but slightly equal to or shorter,            relative to the general anther height, overall.        -   Length.—Approximately 17 to 18 mm, including the ovary.        -   Color.—Considered a light yellow with pale green when young            (approximately Green-Yellow Group 17D, Yellow Group 2D,            4C-D, Yellow-Green Group 145C, 150C-D and 154B-D).        -   Surface texture.—The variety has a long, pale green            (approximately 150C of the Yellow-Green) to whitish green            (range from Green White Group 157A to 157D) pubescent            pistil.-   FRUIT:    -   -   Maturity when described.—The present variety of fruit is            described, as it would be found in its firm ripe condition            at full commercial maturity. Under the ecological conditions            prevailing in the medium chill zone of Texas, it would be            ripe in late May to Early June. The average ripe date at            College Station is May 23rd and in Fairfield would be June            5th.        -   Size.—General—Medium large to large for the season and            considered uniform.        -   Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 58 to 63 mm.        -   Average suture diameter.—Approximately 61 to 67 mm.        -   Average axial diameter.—Approximately 52 to 55 mm.        -   Fruit form.—Generally quite oblate in its lateral aspect.            Occasionally the fruit exhibits less symmetry when comparing            the suture height with the line opposite the suture. The            fruit is generally uniform in symmetry when viewed from the            apical aspect.        -   Fruit suture.—Generally, the suture appears as a thin line            that extends from the base to the apex, and appears slightly            deeper at the apex, forming a shallow basin at the apical            point. No apparent callusing or stitching exists along the            suture line.        -   Color.—The suture normally is the same color as the            underlying blush which is a reddish-orange color (Greyed            Orange Group 171A).        -   Ventral surface.—Form—Considered uniform.        -   Stem Cavity.—        -   Size.—Considered large for the species.        -   Width.—Approximately 29 to 36 mm.        -   Length.—Approximately 18 to 22 mm.        -   Depth.—Approximately 15 to 16 mm.        -   Fruit base.—Generally considered flat.        -   Fruit apex.—Generally considered variable between flat and            round.        -   Fruit stem.—        -   Generally.—Considered medium in length, approximately 10 mm.        -   Thickness.—Approximately 4 mm.        -   Color.—Generally a medium green (approximately Yellow Green            Group 141C)        -   Fruit skin.—Generally considered medium or average in            thickness.        -   Surface texture.—The variety has very short, thin            pubescence.        -   Skin acidity.—Considered neutral.        -   Tenacious to flesh.—Semi-freestone.        -   Tendency to crack.—Not observed.        -   Skin color.—Generally—Variable, with approximately 40-90% of            the fruit surface covered with an attractive orange red            blush.        -   Down.—Short.        -   Blush color.—The blush color is generally more prevailing            apically. This dark red/purple blush (Red-Purple Group 59A-B            and Purple Group N77A) has many degrees of shading and            blending occurring between the stated colorations.        -   Skin ground color.—The skin ground is a pale to medium            yellow (approximately Yellow Group 4B).        -   Flesh color.—Generally considered variable from light yellow            near the stone (approximately Yellow Group 5C) to a dark red            as it nears the skin (Orange-Red Group N34A).        -   Flesh fibers.—Present, numerous and lightly colored. These            fibers are present throughout the flesh.        -   Stone cavity color.—Generally considered a medium to light            yellow (Yellow Group 5D). Generally considered medium or            average in thickness.        -   Surface texture.—The variety has very short, thin            pubescence.        -   Skin acidity.—Considered neutral.        -   Tenacious to flesh.—Semi-freestone.        -   Tendency to crack.—Not observed.        -   Skin color.—Generally - Variable, with approximately 40-90%            of the fruit surface covered with an attractive orange red            blush.        -   Flesh texture.—Generally, the flesh is considered firm and            fine at commercial maturity.        -   Ripening.—Generally the fruit of the present variety ripens            evenly.        -   Flavor.—Considered sweet and a rich, with slightly acidic            flavor.        -   Aroma.—Pleasant and reasonably abundant.        -   Eating.—Generally considered very good to excellent.-   Stone:    -   -   Attachment.—Considered Freestone at commercial maturity.        -   Stone size.—Generally considered medium to medium-small            relative to the ratio of stone to fruit size.        -   Length.—Approximately 28 to 30 mm.        -   Width.—Approximately 18 to 23 mm.        -   Thickness.—Approximately 16 to 17 mm.        -   Fibers.—Generally a few short fibers are attached in            variable areas along the surface of the stone.        -   Stone form.—Generally the stone is considered to be            elliptical.        -   Stone base.—The stone is considered medium.        -   Apex.—Shape—The stone apex is considered narrow to medium.        -   Stone shape.—The stone shape is considered ovoid to            elongated.        -   Stone surface.—        -   Surface texture.—Some moderate grooving is apparent over the            apical shoulders. Surface pitting has numerous single pits            and rosettes of pits.        -   Ridges.—Numerous fine ridges are present basally, and            converge towards the base of the stone.        -   Ventral edge.—Width—Considered small to medium-small.        -   Dorsal edge.—Shape—Grooved with relatively smooth edges. The            dorsal edge is moderately eroded over the apical shoulder.        -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is light to brown            (approximately Greyed-Yellow Group 161C-D and Greyed-Orange            Groups 164A-B and 165B-D). The color of the inside surface            of the endocarp is primarily Greyed-Orange N167C.        -   Tendency to split.—Splitting is relatively uncommon.        -   Kernel.—The kernel fills the endocarp at harvest and            measures approximately 5-6 mm in thickness, 9-10 mm in            width, and 15-17 mm in length. When dried the shriveled            kernels measure approximately 3-4 mm in thickness, 9-10 mm            in width, and 14-15 mm in length. The colors of the dried            kernels are approximately Greyed-Orange Group 165A-B.        -   Use.—The subject variety, ‘ROYAL ZEST TWO’, is considered to            be a peach tree of early mid-season maturity, which produces            fruit which are very firm, attractively colored, and which            are useful for both local and long distance shipping.        -   Keeping quality.—Good.        -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular            susceptibilities were noted.        -   Shipping quality.—Average.

Although the new variety of peach tree possesses the describedcharacteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing inthe medium chill zone of Texas in College Station and Fairfield, it willbe understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristicsincident to the changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning,and pest control are to be expected.

REFERENCES

Brooks, R. M. 1958. Double Delight, Earligold, and June Gold peaches.Fruit Var. J. 3:22.

Okie, W. R. 1993. ‘Goldprince’ and ‘Scarletpearl’ peaches. HortScience28:231.

Rouse, R. and W. Sherman. 1989. ‘TropicBeauty’: a low-chilling peach forsubtropical climates. HortScience 24:165-166.

Zaiger, C. F., G. N. Zaiger, L. M. Gardner, and G. G. Zaiger. 1990.Peach tree ‘Rich Lady’. U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,290. Aug. 7, 1990.)

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct Prunus persica tree, substantially asillustrated and described herein.